Robert Easter Jr. looks across the ring at Algenis Mendez and sees a fighter who is smaller, slower and less skillful. He also sees a fighter whose last loss was to Rances Barthelemy, a two-division champion whom Easter believes is no more talented than he is.

Although Robert Easter Jr. will officially be facing a former champion for the first time in his career when he takes on Algenis Mendez on April 1, the experience will be nothing new in the eyes of the 135-pound prospect.